Most hemorrhoids patients hate going through surgery. If it can be helped, they would rather not experience going under the knife. Rubber band ligation for hemorrhoid, an outpatient treatment that is recommended for second-degree hemorrhoids cases, is preferred over major surgery as it is less excruciating than any other surgical treatment. The recovery period is also shorter than surgery. Success rates for this treatment range from 60 to 80 percent.
History
Hippocrates recorded back in the year 460 BC something about tying the affected rectal area with a thread. The use of rubber band was pioneered by Blaisdell in 1958. Barron refined the procedure in 1963. Barron made use of a Barron Ligator in his treatment.
Purpose
The purpose of using rubber band ligation for hemorrhoid treatment is to stop/minimize/control the flow of blood to the affected area. That part is expected to wither, die and eventually fall off after a few days – usually two to seven days. In many cases, this falling off happens during bowel movement but it can happen outside the toilet.
Why Rubber Band
Threads are usually made of organic materials and therefore, they can cause bacterial accumulation. This is very dangerous because with this disease, we are dealing with open wounds.
On the contrary, rubber is not susceptible to bacterial accumulation.
Procedure
Another positive aspect of undergoing this procedure is its brevity. It only takes a few minutes to finish the entire process. Prior to the ligation procedure, the patient will be taking antibiotics for an average of two weeks.
•Positioning – You will be asked to lie down on your left side with your knees together drawn up to expose your buttocks for a good view.
•Applying the Band – A device, called a proctoscope, will be inserted into the hole to push most of the affected part on one side. Then forceps will be used to grasp that part to hold on to the base (of the swollen part). Then a rubber band is used to enclose the base.
Complications
Complications of rubber band ligation for hemorrhoid intervention include: anal fissure, thrombosed hemorrhoids, pelvic sepsis, band breakage or slippage, bleeding and pain.
Patients may experience all or some of these complications. Bleeding can be experienced for days especially after and during bowel movements. Patients are advised not to take aspirin as well as other medications that contain Ibuprofen. These medications promote bleeding. If bleeding becomes severe, you need to contact your physician immediately.
Other Things That You May Do to Help Improve Your Condition or Hasten Recuperation
•Take acetaminophen to lessen discomfort.
•You should not lift heavy objects or do strenuous jobs for three to four days.
•Stool softeners such as Surfak are recommended. Take one tablet a day for 3 0r 4 days.
•Take warm baths every now and then. It relaxes the muscles and aids in easier release of stool.
•Eat the right food. Ask your doctor about this.
You may want to know some more information about this method of treating hemorrhoids. There are many medical websites that can help you, too but your physician is the best person to go to.
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